Bahrain denies stranded passengers report

Manama, December 30, 2012

Bahrain’s officials have dismissed claims that passengers travelling to Iraq were stranded at Bahrain International Airport for 12 hours.

Extreme weather in Europe was reportedly responsible for delaying one Iraqi airline landing in Muharraq on Thursday night, said a report in our sister newspaper, the Gulf Daily News.

But a Bahrain Airport Services official described claims hundreds of passengers were affected as totally false.

"Passengers were definitely not stranded in the Airport for 12 hours as stated," he said. "Bahrain International Airport and its partners work hard in making sure all passengers are taken care of.”

"Passengers who were supposed to board the flight were communicated with. Some returned home and the rest were booked into a local hotel until the flight arrived and was ready to take all passengers to their destination.

"Bahrain International Airport is operating in full swing during the festive season, when many occasions overlap and it is a busy time. It is only natural for the lounge to be crowded during such times when the airport is working at full capacity.

"The fact that we are operating with such passenger traffic and communicating with as many passengers and airlines as we are is most commendable,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service